Above is a picture of a Walking stick that I took about a week ago.  I never see them until the Fall.  Then they appear – silent and still – resting on the sides of buildings.  Since their natural camoflage is better suited for bushes and trees, I wonder what brings them out in the open this time of year.

*Devil’s Darning Needles.  Although most people call them Walking Sticks, some of the older residents here in central Missouri call them Devil’s Darning Needles.  I have an older friend who cuts every stick Insect he sees in half just because of their supposed satanic association.

*Three thousand species world-wide.  According to Wikipedia, the proper genus name for the Walking Stick is “Phasmatodea” and there are many different types: some are winged, some exist as females only, some grow as long as eighteen inches.

This little six-incher is the only type I have ever seen, but perhaps that’s because I haven’t looked carefully enough.  I’ve looked up ’stick insects in Missouri’ and have found references to several different species but none quite like him.

*They make great pets and live up to three years.  This information again comes from Wikipedia.  I think of a pet as something that sits on your lap while you fondle its ears.  This guy is cute in his own way but I don’t think he would enjoy me rubbing his ears even if I could find them.